Dell battery pack, with part number

Dell laptop owners got some unwelcome news this week when the PC maker, in conjunction with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, issued a massive recall of batteries used in several lines: Latitude, Inspiron, Precision and XPS. (For more details on the models, click here.) The Dell-branded lithium ion batteries, made with cells manufactured by Sony, can overheat and pose a risk of fire.

Pictured here is one of the affected battery packs. Laptop owners can tell if they have the item by looking at the part numbers printed on the back--in this case, it's the designation F5132, highlighted in the inset.

Published: August 17, 2006 -- 14:51 GMT (07:51 PDT)

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Dell battery pack, with standard warning

The battery packs come with a standard warning about risks from improper handling or replacement.

For the batteries in the current recall, Dell said it has received six reports of overheating that resulted in property damage to furniture and personal effects, but no reports of injuries.

Published: August 17, 2006 -- 14:51 GMT (07:51 PDT)

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Additional Dell battery pack.

Another of the affected battery packs. They were included in laptops shipped between April 2004 and July 18, 2006, that were sold through Dell's Web site, catalogs, as well as over the phone and as part of a service replacement program.

Photos: Dell's recalled batteries

The PC maker says 4.1 million Sony-made laptop batteries could overheat and pose a risk of fire.

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Dell battery pack, with part number

Dell laptop owners got some unwelcome news this week when the PC maker, in conjunction with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, issued a massive recall of batteries used in several lines: Latitude, Inspiron, Precision and XPS. (For more details on the models, click here.) The Dell-branded lithium ion batteries, made with cells manufactured by Sony, can overheat and pose a risk of fire.

Pictured here is one of the affected battery packs. Laptop owners can tell if they have the item by looking at the part numbers printed on the back--in this case, it's the designation F5132, highlighted in the inset.